“This is the day tat the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Sooo–what have you been up to this summer? It’s been a rather laid-back summer for Don and me. All of our vacation times have been scheduled for some times between Fall and Spring. Highlights for us were attending our grandson, Owen’s, high school graduation and graduation party. I can’t believe we have a grandson going off to college later in August. He grew up too fast! We also spent a lot of time in my favorite room of our house, our  sunroom–watching the world go by in our backyard.

I have had plenty of time to reflect on things, including retirement. After 34 years–30 years of working six-days-a-week most weeks, I notice during the relaxing moments of this summer that next year I’m going to have more time–lots of time on my hands–time that I am not used to having. I wonder what I am going to do with it. I don’t want to waste it.

Some of you have asked me what my plans are after my retirement. I honestly don’t know what to fully expect yet. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Don, and having new adventures together. We want to spend time with friends. I’m looking forward to    enjoying hobbies and doing projects around the house. We are not planning world travels; but we do hope to do some traveling in the U.S. I’m not expecting to do interims; but we do expect after about a year, to settle in at HCOB and be helpers with you in the ministries here.

I have been talking to God a lot about what’s to come. I know God has more for me to do; it will just be different. As I have shared with you many times over in sermons–God calls all of us to live our faith every day. We should look for the everyday moments that could be opportunities to serve others; and then, follow through with taking that opportunity to be Jesus’ presence to those who need us. I’m expecting God to lead me to new every day opportunities…where I’m not serving in the role as pastor. But, I will always be a servant of God. This is God’s plan for all of us.

This summer will soon come to an end and things will get busier at the church again. I’m looking forward to the planning that comes for special days; and I’m looking forward to serving as your pastor as we do the work of Jesus, together.

A message from Julie Herman, Leadership Team Chairman

I want to keep you updated on the process of calling a new minister to HCOB. The Church of the Brethren Mid-Atlantic District Executive, Doug Veal, will be joining our Leadership Team meeting on July 29. He will bring us up to speed on the next steps we will need to take, including completing a profile for the church and establishing an official search committee. The profile is essentially a comprehensive resume for the church – describing the make-up of our congregation, the programs and services we provide, our resources and financial picture and what we are looking for in a pastor. Search committees are generally comprised of 7-11 people that reflect the entire body. It is the responsibility of the Leadership Team to call potential members of the search committee. Fun Fact: It is suggested that the search committee have an odd number of members so that there can never be a tie when voting.

There is no doubt that Twyla is an amazing leader. We have been—and continue to be—blessed by her wisdom, knowledge and compassion. I have heard her remind us during various meetings, though, that she is not the church – we all, together, make the church what it is. In the coming months, as we go through this calling process of a new pastor, we should lean on each other and, most importantly, lean on God to get us to the other side. He will never leave us nor forsake us. It kind of blows my mind that he already has someone chosen for us! Isn’t that amazing? He is in control. We just need to dive deep into his word, open our hearts to where he is leading us and put our faith in him to provide for our needs. Here are a couple of verses that you can turn to if you sense that you are feeling worried or out of control of this situation:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV):
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which      surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV):
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose trust IS the LORD. They will be like a tree planted by the water, sending out its roots by the stream. It will not fear when heat comes; its leaves will remain green. It will not worry when it is thirsty, nor will it be      dismayed when drought comes.”

If you have any questions throughout this process, please do not hesitate to contact me or John Miller, Vice Chair.

Julie Herman, Chair
HCOB Leadership Team

Writing the Pastor’s Pen each month has most of the time been a challenging exercise for me. Coming up with a topic each month is not the easiest task unless it is a holiday or a issue. That means that usually Allyson gets my article at the last possible moment.

This month’s article is challenging to write for different reasons. Likely, most of you have heard the news that I shared with the Leadership Team at our meeting on May 27. I shared the same news in Sunday’s worship services on June 1. For some of you, this may be the first time you are hearing about this. I have announced my retirement effective on May 31, 2026. I have served as a pastor for the Church of the Brethren for 34 years.

The first few years I served part-time as the Pastor of Nurture at Conestoga Church of the Brethren and attended classes to earn a degree and get my training to be a Pastor. Upon completion, I was ordained. While I was Serving at Conestoga and getting my education, Don and I were running our own custodial business and raising two sons. It was a challenging time trying to balance all of these responsibilities. I was blessed to have a colleague, Del Keeney, who mentored me. He included me in many pastoral responsibilities like preaching monthly, Love Feasts, visitations, anointings, funerals. This was in addition to my role as youth pastor and pastor of nurture. That meant, I usually put in more than my required 20 hours; and the church eventually adjusted my hours accordingly.

When I finished my education, I was called to serve as the fulltime Minister of Christian Nurture, where I worked along side of Scott Duffey. Scott was raised in the HCOB church. Scott also allowed me to serve in a variety of pastoral roles. When Scott left, I continued serving WCOB along side of Glenn McCrickard, and I continued with the same responsibilities.

When my time at WCOB came to an end, I was called to serve as the Chaplain for Fahrney Keedy. During that time, I did a lot of soul searching. I realize now as I look back on those years, God was preparing me to be on my own as your pastor at HCOB. I can see God’s hand clearly in my call to serve as your pastor. I have been blessed more than you can imagine.

But now it is time to begin the next adventure of my life. Don and I plan to remain in Hagerstown and continue to be members at HCOB. However, we will need to take a year off from worshipping with you–in person. When we do begin worshipping with you again, I will be keeping my distance from serving on ministry teams and other roles that require more oversight by your new pastor.

My announcement comes a year in advance of my retirement, but I wanted to give the congregation ample time to find, or to at least, begin the process of finding a new pastor, or an interim pastor before my retirement. The process will take some timeas it should, so that you can discern God’s call for a good match for a new pastor. Leadership Chairperson, Julie Herman and Vice Chairperson, J, ohn Miller have led HCOB through the process of finding a new pastor before; and I have every confidence in them that they will do an excellent job again.

Many of you have asked about Don’s future plans. He has also decided to retire from his role as “Interior Aesthetics Technician”. I know he will be missed serving in that role also.
I admit this was not as easy of a decision as one might think. Being your pastor is something that I have enjoyed immensely. You are an awesome congregation. At the same time, I am looking forward to spending more time with Don and our family, and enjoying the free time to do hobbies I don’t get to do much of now, and to see more of this beautiful country. As I said at our last congregational business meeting, any pastor would be blessed to serve you. I am praying for the next person who will serve as Pastor at HCOB. I hope you will begin praying with me. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to serve as your pastor.

Blessings, Pastor Twyla